OMVIC Certification: Advertising and all-in pricing

Every original question, with optional answers, explanations and official references. Open an answer to study, or take the test above for instant feedback.

1. Three dealers place a joint ad showing a price. What must the ad also state?

   1. That prices vary daily without notice
   2. That the price is guaranteed at every dealer
   3. That OMVIC has approved the advertised price
   4. That the dealer may sell for less
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: That the dealer may sell for less

   A price ad placed jointly by two or more dealers must say the actual price may be less than advertised, for example "dealer may sell for less". Each dealer in the joint ad is responsible for compliance.

   Based on: O. Reg. 333/08, s. 36(8); checked 2026-10-24

   Official reference ↗

2. A full-length online vehicle-lease ad allows 16,000 km yearly. Which extra detail must it disclose?

   1. The charge for kilometres over the allowance
   2. The lessee's credit score needed to qualify
   3. The dealer's markup over the money factor
   4. The residual value the dealer expects at auction
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: The charge for kilometres over the allowance

   For a motor-vehicle lease allowance below 20,000 km a year, section 73(2), paragraph 6 requires the excess-kilometre amount or its method of determination. The question specifies an ordinary online ad; section 73(3) has separate rules for limited-space or broadcast media.

   Based on: O. Reg. 17/05, s. 73(2), para. 6; s. 73(3); checked 2026-10-24

   Official reference ↗

3. When can a dealer use a stock photo in a vehicle ad?

   1. When it accurately shows the same make, model, year and condition
   2. Only for new vehicles that have not yet been built
   3. Never, because stock photos are banned by the MVDA
   4. Whenever the actual vehicle is still being cleaned or reconditioned
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: When it accurately shows the same make, model, year and condition

   The advertisement must truthfully represent the actual vehicle. A stock image must not create a misleading impression about its make, model, year or condition. The fact that an image is labelled stock does not authorize a false representation.

   Based on: O. Reg. 332/08, ss. 3–4; MVDA s. 28; checked 2026-10-24

   Official reference ↗

4. A fixed-credit vehicle ad features a monthly payment. How prominently must it show the APR?

   1. Only on request from the customer
   2. At least as prominently as the payment amount
   3. Only if the interest rate is higher than 5 per cent
   4. In a footnote anywhere on the page
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: At least as prominently as the payment amount

   For this fixed-credit ad, section 61(4) requires APR disclosure as prominent as the most prominent displayed interest-rate or payment amount. Other required information and media-specific exceptions are addressed separately in section 61.

   Based on: O. Reg. 17/05, s. 61(2)–(4); checked 2026-10-24

   Official reference ↗

5. In a joint ad, the participating dealers charge different administration fees. How can the ad handle this?

   1. Omit the fee entirely, because joint ads have no fee rules
   2. Use the lowest fee charged by any dealer and ignore the others
   3. Average the fees across the dealers and build that into the price
   4. Leave the fee out of the price but say it may apply and what it is for
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: Leave the fee out of the price but say it may apply and what it is for

   Section 36(9) allows this treatment for a charge whose amount varies among two or more joint-advertising dealers. The ad must clearly and prominently state that the amount may be additional and identify its purpose. This is not a general permission for a single dealer to hide mandatory fees.

   Based on: O. Reg. 333/08, s. 36(9); checked 2026-10-24

   Official reference ↗

6. Under the listed prior-use advertising rules, which fact must a specific used-car ad disclose?

   1. It was previously a daily rental, if no private owner has had it since
   2. It was previously owned by someone living outside the city
   3. It was previously serviced at a dealership other than the one advertising it
   4. It was previously listed for sale at a higher price
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: It was previously a daily rental, if no private owner has had it since

   Ads for a specific vehicle must disclose prior daily rental use (unless later owned by a non-dealer), police or emergency use and taxi or limousine use. Service location, owner address and past prices are not required.

   Based on: O. Reg. 333/08, s. 36(5)(a); checked 2026-10-24

   Official reference ↗

7. An ad says an extended warranty is included. What else must it state?

   1. The warranty’s term and any maximum individual claim limit
   2. The dealer's commission earned on selling the warranty
   3. The cost of buying the warranty separately
   4. The name of the warranty company's head office
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: The warranty’s term and any maximum individual claim limit

   If an ad says an extended warranty is included, it must show the term and any maximum individual claim limits, clearly and prominently. Head office details and commissions are not required.

   Based on: O. Reg. 333/08, s. 36(14); checked 2026-10-24

   Official reference ↗

8. An ad offers a model at a special price, but only two vehicles are available. What must the ad say?

   1. That supplies are limited, without a number
   2. That the offer ends when OMVIC says so
   3. Nothing, as long as at least one is in stock
   4. The number of vehicles available at that price
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: The number of vehicles available at that price

   An advertised price must be available for the period of the ad, and if only a limited number are available at that price the ad must state how many.

   Based on: O. Reg. 333/08, ss. 36(12)–(13); checked 2026-10-24

   Official reference ↗

9. Which amount may be left out of an advertised all-in price?

   1. HST, if the ad clearly says it is not included
   2. The administration fee, if it is under $500
   3. Freight, if the vehicle is a current model year
   4. The PDI charge, if it is listed on the window sticker
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: HST, if the ad clearly says it is not included

   HST can be excluded when the ad clearly and prominently says it is not included. OMVIC also identifies licensing as an allowed exclusion. A dealer cannot omit an ordinary mandatory administration, freight or PDI charge merely because it lists that charge elsewhere.

   Based on: OMVIC — All-in Price Advertising, All-in price advertising; O. Reg. 333/08 s. 36(10); checked 2026-10-24

   Official reference ↗

10. One retail dealer advertises a vehicle price. What must that advertised price include?

    1. Only the vehicle price, with fees listed in the fine print
    2. Whatever charges the salesperson expects most buyers to pay
    3. The vehicle price and freight, but not dealer administration fees
    4. Freight, PDI, administration fees and all other required charges
    Show answer and explanation

    Correct answer: Freight, PDI, administration fees and all other required charges

    The single-dealer advertised price includes the vehicle and required trade charges, including freight, PDI, administration and levies. OMVIC allows HST and licensing to be excluded when clearly and prominently identified. Joint-dealer variable-charge rules are a separate exception.

    Based on: O. Reg. 333/08, s. 36(7)–(10); OMVIC all-in-price guidance; checked 2026-10-24

    Official reference ↗

11. Which of these counts as an advertisement under the dealer advertising rules?

    1. An internal staff-scheduling text with no vehicle offer
    2. A price sign taped inside a car's window
    3. An internal inventory spreadsheet for managers
    4. A repair-only invoice with no vehicle offer or promotion
    Show answer and explanation

    Correct answer: A price sign taped inside a car's window

    A promotional sign in a vehicle window can be an advertisement. The key is whether the communication promotes a vehicle sale or lease. The other examples expressly contain only non-promotional internal or repair information.

    Based on: OMVIC — All-in Price Advertising, What is a motor vehicle ad?; checked 2026-10-24

    Official reference ↗

12. A dealer advertises a current-model-year car that is actually used. What must the ad make clear?

    1. The date the car was first registered in Ontario
    2. The car's original window sticker price
    3. The name of the previous owner
    4. That the vehicle is used
    Show answer and explanation

    Correct answer: That the vehicle is used

    Under section 36(6), a specific used vehicle advertised with the current or immediately previous model year must be clearly identified as used. A recent model year is not proof that the vehicle meets the legal definition of new.

    Based on: O. Reg. 333/08, s. 36(6); s. 1; checked 2026-10-24

    Official reference ↗

13. A dealer advertises a vehicle as unfit, with optional certification available. What must the price ad make clear?

    1. Safety inspection pending, ready to drive away today
    2. Certification is mandatory at a fixed charge added to the price
    3. Not driveable, not certified, and the price of certification if offered
    4. Sold as seen, with certification included at no extra cost
    Show answer and explanation

    Correct answer: Not driveable, not certified, and the price of certification if offered

    OMVIC’s unfit-vehicle guidance calls for a clear not-driveable/not-certified disclosure and the certification price if offered. That certification charge cannot be mandatory. Other intended mandatory fees remain in the advertised price.

    Based on: OMVIC — All-in Price Advertising, Unfit vehicle; checked 2026-10-24

    Official reference ↗

14. A dealer adds a mandatory $399 etching fee to every car. How should its ads treat this fee?

    1. Leave it out because etching is a product
    2. Mention it only when the customer comes in
    3. List it below the price in smaller type
    4. Include it in any advertised price
    Show answer and explanation

    Correct answer: Include it in any advertised price

    A charge the customer cannot refuse, or one for something pre-installed, is part of the all-in price. Listing it separately or revealing it later breaks the all-in pricing rule.

    Based on: OMVIC — All-in Price Advertising, Pre-installed products or services; O. Reg. 333/08 s. 36(7); checked 2026-10-24

    Official reference ↗